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FNIS (Fores New Idles in Skyrim)
- Strengths:
- Wide mod support (especially older mods).
- Great for creature animation mods.
- Stable and time-tested.
- Weaknesses:
- No longer actively developed.
- Limited features for modern mods.
- Use FNIS If:
- You rely on older mods requiring it (e.g., Fores Creature Pack, PC Exclusive Animation Path).
Nemesis (Nemesis Unlimited Behavior Engine)
- Strengths:
- Supports modern mods (e.g., MCO, SkySA, DAR).
- Actively developed, open-source, no animation limit.
- Can emulate FNIS behavior for many older mods.
- Weaknesses:
- Limited creature animation support.
- Requires manual configuration.
- Use Nemesis If:
- You’re using modern combat/animation mods or creating a future-proof modlist.
Key Decision: Use One, Not Both
- Don’t use FNIS and Nemesis together—they overwrite the same behavior files.
- General Recommendation:
- Use Nemesis unless your modlist heavily depends on FNIS-exclusive creature mods or older setups.